Change of Heart (A Weasley Fan Fiction)

Chapter 43

I sat reading a book when George walked through the door, I rolled my eyes as I stood up. 

"Stop copying my key! I never gave you one," I moaned. 

"This is my copy," George snorted, "I mean. After all we are living together, I deserve one too." 

I bit hard on my lip and nodded while rubbing my arms slightly, the familiarity of this conversation hurt so much, but the pain quickly faded. "but don't people who are living together need to go on dates first?" 

George chuckled, "tonight at five, be ready." 

"Anything else?" I questioned. 

"I...I opened the shop today," George looked at me concerned. His hands in his pockets as he hung his head. 

I jumped over the couch and wrapped my arms around his waist, "how're you doing?" 

"Better than I thought I'd do personally, Ron offered to help," George muttered, "what about you?" 

"Bit shaky still, but no more tears," its been two weeks since I learned about Fred. 

I had cried every night but two days ago when I was up until dawn, I realized there was no use in crying. I couldn't do anything but cling to George. Which I did every day. The only way I coped was telling myself that George needed me, the pain would stop soon but I lost my best friend. The one I told everything to, not that George didn't know all of it anyway, but Fred could read me quicker than anyone else could. George could, but Fred was always quicker at reading me than him.

Much to my surprise, I'd been able to convince George that he needed to reopen the shop, mostly hinting that for us to live together I needed his help with expenses. 

George's fingers ran through my hair and he sighed, "I'll have to go into that flat soon." 

"We'll do it together," I nodded, pushing my face into his chest. He'd gained a little bit of weight back,  his shirts didn't look like drapes anymore, but they still needed to be filled out. 

"I can do it, just....be ready at five alright?" George's voice had lost all cheer as he stepped away. 

When five came I was wearing a pale green dress which reached an inch above my knees with ballet flats, I put my hair up in a loose bun and let curls fall out of it. I grabbed my black purse and headed out of my apartment and toward Diagon Alley, I wanted to see the shop. I never really had much of a chance before now, I practically ran there, after my jolt of walking last time I've learned that running is far better. 

The shop looked exactly the same, colorful and bright, but you could feel something wasn't right. I cautiously stepped inside. The shelves were actually empty, but you could tell it was due to products being sold and moved. George was ringing a young boy up, not paying attention to me. I noticed his face was one of indifference, he didn't have his trademark smile.

I sighed, I can't believe I'm doing this, I thought for the millionth time these past few weeks. Normally I would've shut the world out and cried, gone through my spiraling depression, but that would've only destroyed George. That's why I didn't. If George saw me like that...it would end him, I just knew it. 

"There you are," George smiled as he appeared in front of me. He looked like my George as he stood there, the one that always smiled, I felt slightly better. "Are you ready then?" 

I nodded, "fantastic. Lee! I'm leaving now, just close up when you're done," George called over his shoulder. 

I took his hand in mine, noticing the bag he had behind his back as we walked. When we were in the alley George's grip tightened and I felt myself pulled into apparation, I closed my eyes tightly until I felt something soft under my feet.